Party Politics, Volume 30, Issue 2, Page 388-389, March 2024.
Representation in Higher Education: Diversity, Evenness and Inequality among Communities of Scheduled Castes of Selected States in India
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
The present research attempts to understand the fair representation of communities in scheduled castes (SCs) with educational achievement graduates and above in selected states of India. Diversity, Evenness and Inequality are examined by applying the indices Shannon-Weinner diversity, Buzas and Gibson evenness, and Theil inequality. We analysed census 2011 data comprising all graduates in the age group 20–24 years of age. Analysis of the Shannon diversity index affirms that not all the communities of SCs are equitably represented with education level graduation and above. The study illustrates that only a few communities with huge populations have education level attainment of graduates and above. Whereas the communities with smaller populations are underrepresented, and in some communities, the representation is nil. This corroborates the importance of identifying communities that are still underrepresented even after implementing affirmative action. The Shannon-winner index assessment indicates that the level of diversification across the communities within SCs of selected states does not differ. Further comparison of the quintessential value of and the perfect value of diversification by community’s attainment in education level graduates and above reveals discrepancy and was the highest in the state of Tamil Nadu, with a differing value of 2.5, and the least in the state of Punjab, with a value of 1.6. The first step of the investigation identified the least diversification, lack of evenness, and inequalities between the communities of SCs by representation in education level graduate and above in the selected states of India. Hence, prioritizing rarely represented communities needs immediate attention.
The present research attempts to understand the fair representation of communities in scheduled castes (SCs) with educational achievement graduates and above in selected states of India. Diversity, Evenness and Inequality are examined by applying the indices Shannon-Weinner diversity, Buzas and Gibson evenness, and Theil inequality. We analysed census 2011 data comprising all graduates in the age group 20–24 years of age. Analysis of the Shannon diversity index affirms that not all the communities of SCs are equitably represented with education level graduation and above. The study illustrates that only a few communities with huge populations have education level attainment of graduates and above. Whereas the communities with smaller populations are underrepresented, and in some communities, the representation is nil. This corroborates the importance of identifying communities that are still underrepresented even after implementing affirmative action. The Shannon-winner index assessment indicates that the level of diversification across the communities within SCs of selected states does not differ. Further comparison of the quintessential value of and the perfect value of diversification by community’s attainment in education level graduates and above reveals discrepancy and was the highest in the state of Tamil Nadu, with a differing value of 2.5, and the least in the state of Punjab, with a value of 1.6. The first step of the investigation identified the least diversification, lack of evenness, and inequalities between the communities of SCs by representation in education level graduate and above in the selected states of India. Hence, prioritizing rarely represented communities needs immediate attention.
Book Review: The Long Game: Inside Sinn Féin
Party Politics, Volume 30, Issue 2, Page 390-391, March 2024.
Who polarizes parliament? Partisan hostility in Norwegian legislative debates
Party Politics, Ahead of Print.
In many democratic societies, research has identified an increase in animosity between supporters of different political parties. While this phenomenon has been extensively examined among the general public, less research has explored the role of political elites in contributing to partisan hostility. This study aims to fill this research gap by analyzing instances where members of parliament (MPs) express negative sentiments toward representatives of opposing parties in legislative speeches. Specifically, we investigate which MPs within parties are driving elite rhetorical polarization. We hypothesize that MPs with less experience in parliament and less experience outside of party politics are more likely to contribute to polarizing speech due to stronger partisan identities. Analyzing Norwegian MPs’ speeches between 1998 and 2016, we find support for these hypotheses. Our findings highlight intra-party differences in polarization and contribute new insights into the characteristics that shape polarizing rhetoric among political elites.
In many democratic societies, research has identified an increase in animosity between supporters of different political parties. While this phenomenon has been extensively examined among the general public, less research has explored the role of political elites in contributing to partisan hostility. This study aims to fill this research gap by analyzing instances where members of parliament (MPs) express negative sentiments toward representatives of opposing parties in legislative speeches. Specifically, we investigate which MPs within parties are driving elite rhetorical polarization. We hypothesize that MPs with less experience in parliament and less experience outside of party politics are more likely to contribute to polarizing speech due to stronger partisan identities. Analyzing Norwegian MPs’ speeches between 1998 and 2016, we find support for these hypotheses. Our findings highlight intra-party differences in polarization and contribute new insights into the characteristics that shape polarizing rhetoric among political elites.
Book review: Lachlan Fleetwood, Science on the Roof of the World: Empire and the Remaking of the Himalaya
China Report, Volume 59, Issue 4, Page 484-487, November 2023.
Lachlan Fleetwood, Science on the Roof of the World: Empire and the Remaking of the Himalaya (Cambridge University Press, 2022), pp. 291, ₹7,542.00. ISBN 9781009123112 (Hardback).
Lachlan Fleetwood, Science on the Roof of the World: Empire and the Remaking of the Himalaya (Cambridge University Press, 2022), pp. 291, ₹7,542.00. ISBN 9781009123112 (Hardback).
The Resurgence of Chinese Exceptionalism Under Xi’s Leadership
China Report, Ahead of Print.
This article examines a historical process of Chinese exceptionalism throughout history. Shedding light on different forms of exceptionalism from imperial China till now, I argue that a new form of exceptionalism appeared under Xi’s administration. Recent studies about this concept seem to dismiss the identity factor and its relations with Chinese exceptionalism. Additionally, the literature on the resurgence of exceptionalism under Xi’s era has been less discussed. In order to address this gap, I identify the common features of Chinese exceptionalism and underline the continuities and changes it has during Chinese history to better explain its traces under Xi’s leadership. The article concludes that Chinese exceptionalism is a narrative that helps Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, to give credentials to their domestic and international politics. Furthermore, through my evaluation of the pertinent literature, I suggest that Xi’s exceptionalism is the combination of previous forms of exceptionalism in the past with a subtle difference that paves the way for China to be an active rising power.
This article examines a historical process of Chinese exceptionalism throughout history. Shedding light on different forms of exceptionalism from imperial China till now, I argue that a new form of exceptionalism appeared under Xi’s administration. Recent studies about this concept seem to dismiss the identity factor and its relations with Chinese exceptionalism. Additionally, the literature on the resurgence of exceptionalism under Xi’s era has been less discussed. In order to address this gap, I identify the common features of Chinese exceptionalism and underline the continuities and changes it has during Chinese history to better explain its traces under Xi’s leadership. The article concludes that Chinese exceptionalism is a narrative that helps Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, to give credentials to their domestic and international politics. Furthermore, through my evaluation of the pertinent literature, I suggest that Xi’s exceptionalism is the combination of previous forms of exceptionalism in the past with a subtle difference that paves the way for China to be an active rising power.
Sustainable development and the environment in EU and Japanese free trade agreements: embedding anthropocentric narratives
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Measuring party system institutionalization in democracies
Party Politics, Ahead of Print.
Party system institutionalization (PSI) is regarded as a critical underpinning of democracy. However, the systematic study of PSI in democracies is constrained by weaknesses in existing measures, which are limited in coverage or comprehensiveness, and do not account for the latent nature of the concept, measurement error, and non-random missing data. This article presents a novel measure of PSI that uses a Bayesian latent variable measurement strategy to overcome extant measurement issues. The subsequent measure not only offers unmatched coverage and has demonstrated validity, but also exhibits more robust empirical associations with a range of outcomes related to the performance of democracy than existing measures. The measure should facilitate more integrated research on the causes and consequences of PSI in democracies around the world.
Party system institutionalization (PSI) is regarded as a critical underpinning of democracy. However, the systematic study of PSI in democracies is constrained by weaknesses in existing measures, which are limited in coverage or comprehensiveness, and do not account for the latent nature of the concept, measurement error, and non-random missing data. This article presents a novel measure of PSI that uses a Bayesian latent variable measurement strategy to overcome extant measurement issues. The subsequent measure not only offers unmatched coverage and has demonstrated validity, but also exhibits more robust empirical associations with a range of outcomes related to the performance of democracy than existing measures. The measure should facilitate more integrated research on the causes and consequences of PSI in democracies around the world.
Book review: Mangalu Charan Biswal, The Starved
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Mangalu Charan Biswal, The Starved. Hachette India, 2023, 142 pp., ₹399 (Paperback). ISBN: 9789393701817.*
Mangalu Charan Biswal, The Starved. Hachette India, 2023, 142 pp., ₹399 (Paperback). ISBN: 9789393701817.*
Engendering Equity in India’s Social Policies: Lessons from COVID-19 and Beyond
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
The COVID-19 outbreak inadvertently became a field experiment to test social and economic resilience both within and between societies. Vulnerability to lives and livelihoods exposed as a result made it necessary to adopt a reasonable, well-grounded approach in policy choices to envision an equitable and durable society. Admittedly, it is an appropriate time to revisit the idea of ‘equity’ more aggressively in designing the framework of social policies. This article is an attempt to explore ‘equity’ in India’s social policy architecture—the role, impact and challenges—with an emphasis on initiatives undertaken during COVID-19, especially those targeted to address the needs of marginalized sections. It aims to, first, facilitate an understanding of how social equity as an imperative function for India, shaped its policy responses, especially during the early stages of the pandemic. Second, what is the (im)possibility to develop a ‘National Social Equity Indicator’ for a credible measurement of administrative responses at the appropriate level, which may eventually help improvise future policies.
The COVID-19 outbreak inadvertently became a field experiment to test social and economic resilience both within and between societies. Vulnerability to lives and livelihoods exposed as a result made it necessary to adopt a reasonable, well-grounded approach in policy choices to envision an equitable and durable society. Admittedly, it is an appropriate time to revisit the idea of ‘equity’ more aggressively in designing the framework of social policies. This article is an attempt to explore ‘equity’ in India’s social policy architecture—the role, impact and challenges—with an emphasis on initiatives undertaken during COVID-19, especially those targeted to address the needs of marginalized sections. It aims to, first, facilitate an understanding of how social equity as an imperative function for India, shaped its policy responses, especially during the early stages of the pandemic. Second, what is the (im)possibility to develop a ‘National Social Equity Indicator’ for a credible measurement of administrative responses at the appropriate level, which may eventually help improvise future policies.